THe next is Limeſtreet VVard, Limeſtreet Ward and taketh the name of Limestreet, Limeſtreet. of making or ſelling of lime there (as is ſuppoſed:) the Eaſt ſide of this Limeſtreet, from the North corner therof, to the middest of Ealdgate Ward, as is aforesaid: the West side, for the most part, from the said North corner, southward, is of this Limestreet Ward: the South end on both sides is of Langbourn Ward: the body of this Limestreet Ward,High street of Cornehill. is of the high street called Cornhill street, which stretcheth from Limestreet on the South side, to the West corner of Leaden-hall: and on the North side, from the South-west corner, to S. Mary street, to another corner over against Leaden-hall.

Now for Saint Mary street, the west side thereof is this Limestreet Ward, and also the street which runneth by the North end of this S. Mary street, on both sides; frō thence west to an house called the Wrestlers, a signe so called, almost to Bishopsgate. And these are the bounds of this small Ward.

Monuments or places notable in this Ward, bee these: In Limestreet are divers faire houses for Merchants and others: there was sometime a mansion house of the Kings,An house in Limestreet, called the Kings Artirce. called the Kings Artirce, whereof I finde record in the 14. of Edward the first, but now growne out of knowledge. I read also of another great house in the West side of Limestreet, having a Chappell on the South, and a Garden on the West, then belonging to the Lord Nevill, which Garden is now called the Greene yard of the Leaden hall.

This house, in the ninth of Richard the second, pertained to Sir Simon Burley, and Sir Iohn Burley his brother: and of late the said house was taken downe, and the fore-front thereof new builded of timber, by Hugh Offley, Alderman.

At the North-west corner of Limestreet, was (of old time) one great Messuage, Benbridges Inne. called Benbridges Inne: Raph Holland, Draper, about the yeere 1452. gave it to Iohn Gill, Master, and to the Wardens and Fraternity of Taylors, and Linnen Armorers of Saint Iohn Baptist in London, and to their successors for ever. They did set up in place therof a faire large frame of Timber, containing in the high street one great house, and before it, to the corner of Limestreet, three other tenements, the corner house being the largest: and then downe Limestreet divers proper Tenements. All which the Merchant-taylors in the reigne of Edward the sixth, sold to Stephen Kirton, Merchant-taylor and Alderman: he gave with his daughter Grisild, to Nicholas Woodroffe, the said great house, with two tenements before it, in lieu of an hundred pounds, and made it up in money, three hundred sixty six pounds, thirteene shillings, foure pence. This worshipfull man, and the Gentlewoman his widdow after him, kept those houses downe Limestreet in good reparations, never put out but one Tenant, tooke no fines, nor raised rents for them, which was tenne shillings the piece yeerely: But whether that favour did over-live her Funerall, the Tenants now can best declare the contrary.

Next unto this on the high street was the Lord Sowches messuage or tenement,Messuage of the L. Sowch. and other. In place whereof, Richard Wethell, Merchant-Taylor, builded a faire house, with an high Tower, the second in number, the first of timber that ever I learned to have beene builded, to overlooke neighbours in this Citie.

This Richard, then a yong man, became in short time so tormented with gouts in his joynts, of his hands and legs, that he could neither feed himselfe, nor goe further than he was led, much lesse was he able to climbe, and take the pleasure of the heighth of his Tower.

Then is there another faire house, builded by Stephen Kirton, Alderman: Alderman Lee did then possesse it, and againe new builded it: but now it is in the custodie of Sir William Cravon.

Then is there a faire house,Messuage called the Green-gate. of old time called the Greene-gate, by which name one Michael Pistoy, a Lumbard, held it, with a tenement and nine shops, in the reigne of Richard the second, who in the 15. of his reigne, gave it to Roger Corphull and Tho. Bromester, Esquires, by the name of the Greene-gate, in the Parish of S. Andrew upon Cornehill, in Limestreet Ward: since the which time, Philip Malpas, sometime Alderman, and one of the Sheriffes, dwelled therein, and was there robbed and spoiled of his goods,Philip Malpas robbed to a great value, by Iacke Cade, and other Rebels, in the yeere 1449.

Afterwards, in the reigne of Henrie the seventh, it was seased into the Kings hands, and then granted first unto Iohn Alston, after that, unto William de la Rivers, and since by Henry the eighth, to Iohn Mutas, a Pickard, or Frenchman, who dwelled there, and harboured in his House many Frenchmen, that kalendred wolsteds, and did other things, contrary to the Franchises of the Citizens. Wherefore on evill May day, which was in the yeere 1517. the Prentises and other spoiled his house, and if they could have found Mutas, Mutas house spoiled. they would have stricken off his head. Sir Peter Mutas, sonne to the said Iohn Mutas,Stow appears to be mistaken here. Sir Peter Mewtas was John Mewtas’ grandson. sold this house to David Woodroofe, Alderman, whose sonne, Sir Nicholas Woodroofe, Alderman, sold it over to Iohn Moore, Alderman, that then possessed it.

Next is a house called the Leaden Porch, Leaden Porch. lately divided into two tenements, whereof one is a Taverne, and then one other house for a Merchant, likewise called the Leaden Porch, but now turned to a Cookes house.

Next is a faire house and a large, wherein divers Maioralties have beene kept, whereof twaine in my remembrance; to wit, Sir William Bowyer, and Sir Henry Huberthorne.

The next is Leaden-Hall, Mannor of Leaden Hall. of which I read, that in the yeere 1309. it belonged to Sir Hugh Nevill, Knight, and that the Lady Alice his wife, made a Feoffment thereof, by the name of Leaden Hall, with the advousions of S. Peter on Cornehill, & other Churches, to Rich. Earle of Arundell and Surrey, 1362.

More, in the yeere 1380. Alice Nevil, widdow to Sir Iohn Nevill, Knight, of Essex, confirmed to Thomas Cogshall, and others, the said Mannor of Leaden Hall, and the advousions, &c.

In the yeere 1384. Humfrey de Bohun, Earle of Hereford, had the said Mannor. And in the yeere 1408. Robert Rikeden of Essex, and Margaret his wife, confirmed to Richard Whittington, and other Citizens of London, the said Mannor of Leaden Hall, with the Appurtenances, the advousion of S. Peters Church, S. Margaret Pattens, &c.

And in the yeere 1411. the said Whittington and other confirmed the same to the Maior and Communalty of London, whereby it came to the possession of the Citie.

Then in the yeere 1443. the 21. of Henry the sixth, Iohn Hatherley, Maior, purchased licence of the said King to take up 200.Licence to take up Lead to the building of a common granary. fodder of Lead, for the building of water Conduits, a common Granarie, and the Crosse in West Cheape, more richly, for the honour of the Citie.

In the yeere next following, the Parson and Parish of Saint Dunstane in the East of London, seeing the famous and mighty man (for the words bee in the Grant; Cum nobilis & potens vir,) Simon Eyre, Citizen of London, among other his workes of Piety, effectually determined to erect and build a certain Granarie, upon the soile of the same Citie at Leaden-Hall, of his owne charges, for the common utility of the said Citie; to the amplifying and inlarging of the said Granarie, granted to Henry Frowicke, then Maior, the Aldermen and Communalty and their successors for ever, all their tenements, with the appurtenances, sometime called the Horse-mill in Grasse-street, for the annuall rent of foure pounds, &c.

Also, certaine Evidences of an Alley and Tenements pertaining to the Horse-mill, Horse-mill in Grasse-street. adjoyning to the said Leaden-Hall in Grasse-street, given by William Kingstone, Fishmonger, unto the parish Church of St. Peter upon Cornehill, doe specifie the said Granary, to be builded by the said honourable and famous Merchant, Simon Eyre sometime an Vpholster, then by changing of his Copy a Draper. Leaden-hall new builded to bee a common Garner. Simon Eyre, sometime an Vpholster, and then a Draper, in the yeere, 1419. He builded it of squared stone in forme as now it sheweth, with a faire and large Chappell in the East side of the Quadrant, over the porch of which hee caused to be written, Dextra Domini exaltavit me, The Lords right hand exalted me.

Within the said Church,A Chappell builded in Leaden hall. on the north wall was written, Honorandus famosus Mercator Simon Eyre, hujus operis, &c. In English thus: The honourable and famous Merchant Simon Eyre, founder of this worke, once Maior of this City, Citizen and Draper of the same, departed out of this life the 18. day of September, the yeere from the incarnation of Christ, 1459. and the 38. yeere of the reigne of King Henry the 6. He was buried in the Parish Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Lumbard street: hee gave by his Testament, which I have read, to be distributed to all Prisons in London, or within a mile of that City, somewhat to relieve them.

More,Legacies given by Simon Eyre. Daily Service by note, &c. and three free schooles in the Leaden Hall. hee gave 2000. Markes upon a condition, which not performed, was then to be distributed to maids marriages, and other deeds of charity: he also gave 3000. Markes to the Drapers, upon condition, that they should within one yeere after his decease, establish perpetually a Master or Warden, five secular Priests, sixe Clarkes, and two Queristers, to sing daily Divine Service by note for ever, in his Chappell of the Leaden-Hall: Also, one Master, with an Vsher for Grammer, one Master for Writing, and the third for Song, with houses there newly builded for them for ever, the Master to have for his Salary, tenne pounds, and every other Priest 8. pounds, every other Clerke, 5-pounds, 6. shillings, 8. pence, and every other Chorister, five Markes. And if the Drapers refused this to doe, within one yeere after his decease; then the three thousand Markes to remaine to the Prior and Covent of Christs-church in London, with condition to establish as is aforesaid, within two yeeres after his decease. And if they refused, then the three thousand Markes to bee disposed by his Executors, as they best could devise in workes of charity.

Thus much for his Testament, not performed by establishing of divine service in his Chappell or Free Schooles for Scholars;Liber albus. neither how the stocke of three thousand Markes (or rather five thousand Markes) was imployed by his Executors, could I ever learne: he left issue Thomas, who had issue Thomas, &c. True it is, that in the yeere 1464. the third of Edward the fourth, it was agreed by the Maior,Beame for Tronage of wools at Leaden-hall. Aldermen and Cōmunalty of London, that notwithstanding the King Letters patents, lately before granted unto them, touching the Tronage or weighing of Wares to be holden at the Leaden-Hall; yet suit should be made to the King for new letters patents, to be granted to the Maior of the Staple, for the Tronage of Wools to bee holden there, and order to be taken by the discretion of Thomas Cooke, then Maior, the Counsell of the City, Geffrey Filding then Maior of the Staple at Westminster, and of the Kings Councell, what should be paid to the Maior and Aldermen of the City, for the laying and housing of the Wools there, that so they might be brought forth and weighed, &c.

Touching the Chappell there,A brotherhood of 60 Priests in the Chappell of Leaden hall. I find, that in the yeere 1466. by licence obtained of King Edward the fourth in the 6. of his reigne, a Fraternity of the Trinity of 60. Priests (beside other brethren and sisters) in the same Chappell, was founded by William Rouse, Iohn Risby, and Thomas Ashby Priests, some of the which 60. Priests, every Market-day in the fore-noone, did celebrate Divine Service there, to such Market people as repaired to prayer, and once every yeere they met all together, and had solemne Service, with Procession of all the Bre and Sisters. This foundation was in the yeere 1512. by a common Councell confirmed to the 60. Trinity Priests and to their successors, at the will of the Maior and Communalty.

In the yeere 1484. a great fire hapned upon the Leaden-Hall, Leaden-hall burned. by what casualty I know not, but much housing was there destroyed, with all the stocks for Guns, and other provision belonging to the City, which was a great losse, and no lesse charge to bee repaired by them.

In the yeere 1503. the eighteenth of Henry the seventh,Rich. Arol. a request was made by the Commons of the City, concerning the usage of the said Leaden-hall, in forme as followeth:

Please it the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and Common Councell,A request of the Citizens to the Maior and Aldermen. to enact, that all Frenchmen bringing Canvas, Linnen cloth, and other wares to be sold, and all Forreins bringing Wolsteds, Sayes, Stamins, Kiverings, Nayles, Iron worke, or any other wares, and also all manner Forreins, bringing Lead to the City to be sold; Shall bring all such their wares aforesaid, to the open Market of the Leaden-Hall, Leaden hall Market for Canvas and linnen cloth. and no where else to be shewed, sold, and uttered, like as of old time it hath been used, upon paine of forfeiture of all the said wares, shewed or sold in any other place than aforesaid: And the shew of the said wares to bee made three dayes in a weeke, that is to say, Munday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It is also thought reasonable, that the common Beame be kept from henceforth in the Leaden-hall, and the Farmer to pay therefore reasonable rent to the Chamber: for better it is that the Chamber have advantage thereby, than a forraine person. And also the said Leaden-hall, which is more chargeable now by halfe than profitable, shall better beare out the charges thereof. Also the common Beame for Wool at Leadenhall, Common Beame to be kept in Leaden hall. Leaden hall pertaining to the Communalty. may pay yeerely a rent to the Chamber of London, toward the supportation and charges of the same place: for reason it is, that a common Office occupied upon a common ground, beare a charge to the use of the Communalty. Also that Forraines bringing Wools, Fels, or any other Merchandizes or wares to Leaden-hall, Wools, Fels, and other Merchandizes to be sold in Leaden-hall. to be kept there for the sale and Market; may pay more largely for keeping of their goods, than freemen. Thus much for the request of the Commons at that time.

Now to set downe some proofe, Leaden hall used as a Garner. that the said Hall hath been imployed and used as a Granary for Corne and graine (as the same was first appointed) leaving all former examples, Roger Achley Maior made good provision for the City. this one may suffice: Roger Acheley Maior of London in the yeere 1512. the third of Henry the 8. when the said Maior entred the Maioralty, there was not found 100. quarters of Wheat in all the Garners of this City,Bread Carts of Stratford the Bow. either within the liberties, or neere adjoyning. Through the which scarcity, when the Carts of Stratford came laden with Bread to the City (as they had been accustomed) there was such presse about them, that one man was ready to destroy another, in striving to be served for their mony. But this scarcity lasted not long: for the Maior (in short time) made such provision for Wheat, that the Bakers both of London, and of Stratford, were weary of taking it up, and were forced to take much more than they would, and for the rest the Maior laid out the money and stored it up in Leaden-hall, and other Garners of the City. This Maior also kept the Market so well, that hee would be at the Leaden-hall, by foure a clocke in the Summers mornings, and from thence he went to other Markets, to the great comfort of the Citizens.

I read also, that in the yeere, 1528. the 20. of Henry the 8. Surveyors were appointed to view the Garners of the City, namely, the Bridgehouse and the Leaden-hall, how they were stored of Graine for the service of the City. And because I have here before spoken of the bread Carts comming from Stratford at the Bow, ye shall understand, that of old time, the Bakers of bread at Stratford were allowed to bring daily (except the Sabbath and principall Feasts) divers long Carts laden with bread, the same being two ounces in the penny wheaten loafe heavier than the penny wheaten loafe baked in the City, the same to be sold in Cheape, three or foure Carts standing there, betweene Gutherans lane and Fausters lane end, one cart on Corne-hill, by the Conduit, and one other in Grasse-street. And I have read, that in the fourth yeere of Edward the second, Richard Reffeham being Maior, a Baker named Iohn of Stratford, for making Bread lesser than the Assise; Liber. D. A Baker of Stratford punished in London for baking bread under the Assize. was with a fooles hood on his head, and loaves of bread about his necke, drawn on a Hurdle through the streets of this City. Moreover, in the 44. of Edward the third, Iohn Chichester being Maior of London, I read in the visions of Pierce Plowman, a Booke so called, as followeth.

There was a carefull commune,Iohn Malverne. when no Cart came to towne with Basket bread from Stratford: Bread Carts frō Stratford missed in this City in time of scarcity. tho gan beggers weepe, and workemen were agast, a little this will bee thought long in the date of our Dirte, in a dry Averell a thousand and three hundred, twice thirty and ten, &c.

I read also in the 20. of Henry the 8. Sir Iames Spencer being Maior, sixe Bakers of Stratford were merced in the Guild-hall of London, for baking under the size appointed. These Bakers of Stratford left serving this City, I know not upon what occasion, above forty yeeres since.

In the yeere 1519. a petition was ex hibited by the Commons to the Common Councell,A Petition of the Commons concerning the use of the Leaden hall. and was by them allowed, concerning the Leaden-hall, how they would have it used, viz.

Meekely beseeching, sheweth unto your good Lordship, and Masterships, divers Citizens of this City, which (under correction) thinke, that the great place called the Leaden-hall, should nor ought not to be letten out to farme, to any person or persons, and in especiall, to any fellowship or company incorporate, to have and hold the same Hall for terme of yeeres, for such inconveniences as thereby may ensue, and come to the hurt of the Common weale of the said City in time to come, as somewhat more largely may appeare in the Articles following.

First, if any assembly, or hasty gathering of the Commons of the said City, for suppressing or sub duing of misruled people within the said City, hereafter shall happen to be called or commanded by the Maior, Aldermen and other Governours and Counsellors of the said City for the time being; there is none so convenient, meet and necessary a place to assemble them in, within the said City, as the said Leaden-hall, both for largenesse of roome, and for their sure defence in time of their counselling together about the premises. Also, in that place hath beene used the Artillery, Guns, and other Armors of the said City, to be safely kept in a readinesse, for the safeguard, wealth and defence of the said City, to be had and occupiedat times when need required. As also the store of timber, for the necessary reparations of the tenements belonging to the Chamber of the said City,I.e., the Chamber of London. there commonly hath beene kept.

Item, if any Triumph or Noblenesse were to be done, or shewed by the Communalty of the City, for the honour of our Soveraigne Lord the King, and Realme, and for the worship of the said City: the said Leaden-hall is the most meet and convenient place, to prepare and order the said Triumph therein, and from thence to issue forth to the places thereof appointed.

Item, at any largesse or dole of any money, made unto the poore people of this City; it hath been used, to bee done and given in the said Leaden-hall, for that the said place is most meet therefore.

Item, Leaden hall, a free marketplace for victuallers, and the people to ſtand drie. the honourable Father, that was maker of the said Hall, had a speciall will, intent and mind, that (as it is comonly said) the Market men and women, that came to the City with victuals and other things, should have their free standing within the said Leaden-hall in wet weather, to keepe themselves and their wares dry, and thereby to encourage them, and all other, to have the better will and desire, the more plentiously to resort to the said City, to victuall the same. And if the said Hall should bee letten to farme, the will of the said honourable Father should never be fulfilled, nor take effect.

Item, if the said place, which is the chiefe fortresse and most necessary place within all the City, for the tuition and safegard of the same, should bee letten out to farme, out of the hands of the chiefe heads of the same City, and especially to any other body politike, it might at length (by likelihood) be an occasion of discord and debate betweene the said bodies politike, which God defend.

For these and many other great and reasonable causes, which hereafter shall be shewed to this honouoable Court, your said beseechors thinke it much necessary, that the said Hall bee still in the hands of this City, and to be surely kept by sad and discreet Officers in such wise, that it might alway be ready to bee used and occupied, for the common weale of the said City when need shall require, and in no wise to be letten to any body politike. Thus much for the petition.

About the yeere 1534. great meanes was made about the Leaden Hall, Leaden Hall, meant to have been made a Burse for Merchants. to have the same made a Burse for the Assembly of Merchants, as they had been accustomed in Lumbard-street: many Common Councels were called to that end but in the yeere 1535. Iohn Champneis being Maior, it was fully concluded, that the Burse should remaine in Lumbard-street, as afore, and Leaden Hall no more to be spoken of concerning that matter.

The use of Leaden Hall in my youth was thus: In a part of the North Quadrant, on the East side of the North gate, were the common beames, for weighing of Wooll and other Wares, as had been accustomed: On the West side of the gate was the Scales to weigh meale: the other three sides were reserved (for the most part) to the making and resting of the Pageants shewed at Midsummer in the watch: the remnant of the sides & Quadrāts were imployed for the stowage of Woolsacks, but not closed up: the lofts above were partly used by the Painters, in working for the decking of Pageants and other devices, for beautifying of the Watch and Watch-men, the residue of the lofts were letten out to Merchants, the Wool-winders and Packers therein to winde and packe their Wools. And thus much for Leaden-hall may suffice.

Now on the North of Limestreet Ward, in the high street are divers faire houses for Merchants, and proper tenements for Artificers, with an Alley also called Shaft Alley, of the Shaft or May-pole sometime resting over the gate thereof, as I have declared in Ealdgate Ward.

In the yeere 1576. partly at the charges of the parish of S. Andrew, A Pumpe in the high street of Lime-street Ward. and partly at the charges of the Chamber of Lond. a water-Pumpe was raised in the high street of Limestreet Ward, Cornehill street in some place raised two fadome higher than of old time, as appeared by buildines found so deepe. neere unto Limestreet corner: for the placing of the which Pumpe, having broken up the ground, they were forced to digge more than two fadome deepe, before they came to any maine ground, where they found a Harth made of Britaine, or rather Roman Tile, every Tile halfe yard square, and about two inches thicke: they found Coale lying there also (for that lying whole will never consume) then digging one fadome in the maine, they found water sufficient, made their prall, and set up the Pumpe, which Pumpe, with oft repairing and great charges to the parish, continued not 24. yeeres, but being rotted, was taken up, and a new set in the place, in the yeere 1600. Thus much for the high street.

In Saint Mary street had yee (of old time) a parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin,St. Mary street Parish Church of Mary, St. Vrsula, and 11000. Virgins, called at the Axe, letten out of a warehouse. St. Vrsula, and the 11000. Virgins, which Church was commonly called Saint Mary at the Axe, of the signe of an Axe, over against the East end thereof, or Saint Mary Pellipar, of a plot of ground lying on the North side thereof, pertaining to the Skinners in London. This parish about the yeere, 1565. was united to the parish Church of Saint Andrew Vndershaft, and so was Saint Mary at the Axe suppressed, and letten out to be a warehouse for a Merchant. Against the East end of this Church, was sometime a faire wall, now turned to a pumpe. Also against the North end of this St. Mary street, was sometime one other parish Church of Saint Augustine, Parish Church of S. Augustine in the wall, made a Chappel to the Papey, and since pulled downe and made a stable. called Saint Augustine in the wall, for that it stood adjoyning to the wall of the City, and otherwise called Saint Augustines Papey, or the Poore, as I have read in the reigne of Edward the 3. About the yeere, 1430. in the reigne of Henry the sixt, the same Church was allowed to the brethren of the Papey, the house of poore Priests, wherof I have spoken in Ealdgate Ward. The Parishioners of this Church were appointed to the Parish Church of Alhallowes in the wall, which is in Broadstreet Ward: and this brotherhood called Papey, being suppressed, the Church of Saint Augustine was pulled downe, and in place thereof one Grey, Apothecary, builded a Stable, a Hay-loft, &c. It is now a dwelling house. Those two Parish Churches, both lying in the Ward of Limestreet, being thus suppressed, there is not any one parish Church or place for Divine Service in that Ward, but the inhabitants thereof repaire to Saint Peter in Corne-hill Ward, Saint Andrew in Ealdgate Ward, Alhallowes in the wall, in Broadstreet Ward, and some to Saint Dennis in Langbourne Ward.

Now because of late there hath been some question, to what Ward this Church of S. Augustine Papey should of right belong; for the same hath been challenged by them of Ealdgate Ward, and (without reason) taken into Bishopsgate Ward, from Limestreet VVard, I am somewhat to touch it.

About thirty yeeres since,Houses by London wall in the ward of Limestreet. the Chamber of London granted a Lease of ground (in these words) Lying neere London Wall, in the Ward of Limestreet, from the West of the said Church or Chappell of Saint Augustine Papey, towards Bishopsgate, &c. On the which plot of ground, the Leasee builded three faire tenements, and placed Tenants there: these were charged to beare scot and lot, and someof them to beare office in Limestreet VVard: all which they did willingly without grudging. And when any suspected or disordered persons were by the Landlord placed there, the Officers of Limestreet VVard fetched them out of their houses, committed them to ward, procured their due punishments, and banished them from thence: wherby in short time that place was reformed, and brought into good order: which thing being noted by them of Ealdgate VVard, they moved their Alderman, Sir Thomas Offley, to call in those houses to be of his VVard. But I my selfe shewing a faire Ledgier booke, sometime pertaining to the late dissolved Priory of the holy Trinity within Ealdgate, wherein were set downe the just bounds of Ealdgate VVard, before Sir Thomas Offley, Sir Rowland Hayward, the Common Counsell, and VVard. mote Inquest of the said Limestreet VVard; Sir Thomas Offley gave over his challenge, and so that matter rested in good quiet, untill the yeere 1579. that Sir Richard Pype (being Maior, and Alderman of Bishopsgate VVard) challenged those houses to be of his ward, A part of Limestreet ward unjustly withheld by Bishopsgate ward. whereunto (without reason shewed) Sir Rowland Hayward yeelded: and thus is that side of the street, from the North corner of S. Mary street, almost to Bishopsgate, (wherein is one plot of ground, letten by the Chamberlaine of London, to the parish of S. Martins Oteswich, to be a Churchyard or burying-place for the dead of that Parish, &c.) unjustly drawne and with-holden from the ward of Limestret.

Dives other proofes I could set downe, but this one following may suffice. The Maior and Aldermen of London made a grant to the Fraternity of the Papey, in these words:

Be it remembred, that where now of late the Master and Wardens of the Fraternity of the Papey, have made a bricke wall, closing in the Chappell of S. Augustine, called Papey Chappell, situate in the Parish of All Saints in the Wall, in the Ward of Limestreet of the City of London: from the South-east corner of the bricke wall, is a Scutcheon of 12. foot of assize from the said corner Eastward: And from the said Scutcheon there, to a Messuage of 55. foot and an halfe Westward: the said Scutcheon breaketh out of line right Southward, betwixt the measures aforesaid, three foot and five inches of assise, upon the common ground of the Citie aforesaid: Ralph Verney, Maior, and the Aldermen of the same Citie, the 22. day of October, the 6. yeere of Edward the 4. granted to John Hod, Priest, M. John Bolt, and Tho. Patchet, Priests, wardens of the Fraterniey of Papey aforesaid, and to their successors for ever, &c. yeelding 4. d. sterling yeerely at Michaelmas. Lib. Papey. And this is (saith my booke) inrolled in the Guild-hall of London: which is a sufficient proofe, the same plot of ground to be of Limestreet ward, and never otherwise accounted or challenged.

On the South side of this street, stretching west from Saint Mary street, towards Bishopsgate street, there was (of old time) one large Messuage builded of stone and timber, in the parish of S. Augustine in the wall, now in the parish of Alhallowes in the same wall, belonging to the Earle of Oxford; Patent. Oxford Place. (for Rich. de Vere, Earle of Oxford, possessed it in the 4. of Henry the 5.) but in processe of time, the Lands of the Earle fell to Females; amongst the which, one being married to Wingfield of Suffolke, this house with the appurtenances, fell to his lot, and was by his heire, Sir Robert Wingfield, sold to Mr. Edward Cooke, at the time when this was written, the Queenes Attourney Generall. This house being greatly ruinated, of late time, for the most part hath beene let out to Poulters, for stabling of Horses and stowage of Poultrie, but now lately new builded into a number of small tenements, letten out to strangers, and other meane people.

It was ordered by the Lord Maior and Aldermen,Hum. Dyson at a Court holden on Thursday, the 24. of April, in the 4. yeere of Edward the 6. That the Chamberlaine of London should yeerely pay unto the Scavenger of Limestreet ward, twenty shillings by even portions, out of the profit comming by the Butchers stalles in Leaden-hall, toward the clesing and sweet keeping of the same Ward.

One note more of this Ward, and so an end: I finde of record, that in the yeere 1371. the 45. of Edward the 3. a great Subsidie of 100000. pounds was granted towards the Kings warres in France, whereof the Cleargie payed 50000. pounds, and the Laitie 50000. pounds, to bee levied in 39. shires of England, containing Parishes 8600. of every parish, 5. l. 16. s. the greater to helpe the lesser. This Citie (as one of the Shires) then containing 24. wards, and in them 110.Subsidy of parishes, Limestreet ward, in the yeere 1371. was therfore assessed to 635. l. 12. s. whereof Limestreet Ward did beare 34. s. and no more; so small a Ward it was, and so accounted, as having no one whole parish therein, but small portions onely, of two parishes in that Ward.

This Ward hath an Alderman, his Deputy, common Counsellours, foure; Constables, foure; Seavengers, two; VVard-mote Inquest, sixteene, and a Beadle. It is taxed to the Fifteene at 1. l. 19. s. 2. d. ob. q.